Acetaminophen
is sometimes given to reduce pain and fever that may occur after getting a vaccine. In infants, the medication
may weaken the vaccine's effectiveness. However, in children at risk for seizures, a fever-lowering
medication
may be important to take. Discuss the risks and benefits of taking acetaminophen with your doctor.

Who Should Not Get Vaccinated?

Most people should receive their vaccinations on schedule. However, individuals in whom the risks of vaccination outweigh the benefits include people who:

Have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to Tdap

Have had a severe allergy to any component of the vaccine to be given

Have gone into a
coma
or
have had
seizures
within 7 days after a dose of Tdap

Talk with your doctor before getting the vaccine if you have:

Epilepsy or other nervous system problems

Severe swelling or severe pain after a previous dose of any component of the vaccination to be given

What Other Ways Can
Tetanus, Diphtheria, or Pertussis Be Prevented?

Promptly clean all wounds and follow up with your doctor for medical care to prevent a tetanus infection.

You can help prevent pertussis by keeping infants and other people at high risk away from infected people.

What Happens in the Event of a Pertussis
Outbreak?

In the event of a
pertussis
outbreak, all people who may have been exposed should be brought up to date with the vaccination. It is important to protect infants by isolating those who have the infection. Diagnosing the disease as quickly as possible can help control future outbreaks.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Immunization Program website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm. Updated February 3, 2016. Accessed June 7, 2016.

Tdap vaccine: what you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/tdap.pdf. Updated February 24, 2015. Accessed June 7, 2016.